Principal's Message

Topic: New Courses this School Year

Dear GWSS Families:

​​This week on our blog, we would like to re-share information about the new courses launched by the Ministry of Education and are now available at GWSS. It’s a great reminder that education is an ever-evolving process. We must continually reassess and update our curriculum to ensure that we are meeting the needs of today’s students while preparing them for the challenges and opportunities of the future. We hope you enjoy learning more about these new offerings and how they will help shape our students' educational journeys.

NEW Grade 9 Courses:

BEM1O1 (replacing BTT1O1)  Course Title: Building the Entrepreneurial Mindset

In this course, students will learn what makes an entrepreneur thrive and the skills required to succeed in today’s business environment. Students will begin to develop their own entrepreneurial mindset, and learn why it’s important to take initiative, adapt to change, find creative solutions, and understand the financial considerations of entrepreneurship.

TAS1O1 (replacing TIJ1O1) Course Title: Technology and the Skilled Trades

This hands-on course enables students to further explore the engineering design process and develop other technological knowledge and skills introduced in earlier grades. Students will design and safely create prototypes, products, and/or services, working with tools and technologies from various industries. 

CGC1W1 Destreaming (replacing CGC1D1) Course Title: Exploring Canadian Geography

This course builds on learning in Grades 7 and 8 in geography. Students will explore relationships within and between Canada’s natural and human systems and how they interconnect with other parts of the world; as well as environmental and economic issues, and their impact related to topics such as natural resources and industries, careers, land use and responsible development, and sustainability. In addition, students will understand the connections that diverse communities and individuals have with the physical environment and each other throughout Canada, including First Nations, Métis, and Inuit perspectives. 

NEW Grade 10 Course:

BEP2O1 (replacing BBI2O1)  Course Title: Launching and Leading a Business

This course introduces students to the world of business and what is required to be successful, ethical, and responsible in today’s economy. Students will develop the knowledge and skills needed to be an entrepreneur who knows how to respond to local and global market opportunities. Throughout the course, students will explore and understand the responsibility of managing different functions of a business. 

We reached out to a few students currently enrolled in the course to gather their thoughts and feedback so far. 

Click here to read what they had to say.

New Grade 11 and 12 Course:

TDA3M and TDA4M - Technological Design: Architecture & Interior Design Emphasis  

These courses are suited both for students pursuing a career in Architecture, Interior Design, or those just looking for a general interest course using a creative design process. Through creative space planning techniques and researching municipal zoning bylaws and building code requirements, students will produce floor plans, elevation drawings, renderings, and a 3D conceptual model of their project in Autodesk Revit. Using architectural realization software such as Twinmotion, students then have the ability to check out their projects through an immersive augmented (AR) and virtual reality (VR) experience! Other topics include Landscape Design, Furniture Design, Colour Theory, and Architectural Trends. After taking this course students will be able to use CAD programs efficiently, have a better appreciation of the use of space around them, and an ability to understand and appreciate the application of design. 

Click here to see the students' testimonials and samples of their impressive work.

Sincerely,

Luisa Botelho

Fall Show - Only 2 Shows Left!

The Hallway Diaries - A Coming of Age Musical explores the ups and downs of growing up through a series of songs.  Fitting in, school, relationships, crushes, and stress, this show provides a glimpse into how students are navigating this time in their lives.  Featuring songs from 18 different musicals there is sure to be something for everyone in the audience. 

The show opened this past Thursday and there are still two shows left! Come out and support our theatre program and see an awesome show on November 29 or 30 at 7 pm. Tickets are available on School Cash Online or at the door and they are only $10. See you when the curtain goes up!

Winter Concert

Don't miss the upcoming Winter Concert on Thursday, December 5 at 7 pm. Join us for some free music. The show will feature our Rock Band, Jazz Band, Friday Choir, Junior Band, Senior Band, and various student features. You don't want to miss this wonderful evening of entertainment with our talented Garth Webb musicians and teachers.

Our music department is also asking for donations to help support our amazing music programs. You can donate online using this link or with cash at the Winter Concert. Thank you so much for your support!

Schoarships in Skilled Trades Presentation

On Tuesday, November 19, Dylan Ramnarine, a recent GWS grad, revisited our school to give a formal presentation on different scholarships within the skilled trades. He shared his experiences with the scholarships he has earned, covered a few others he has researched, and explained how students can apply, get reference letters, transcripts, and resumes. The students found the talk very helpful and informative. 

Dylan is a recipient of the Schulich Builders Scholarship, FIRST Robotics Canada Skilled Trades Scholarship, Kevin Caughlin Technological Scholarship & Halton District School Board Skilled Trades Bursary. Each one of these valuable grants allowed Dylan to pursue his passion of carpentry at Loyalist College, and connected him to a broad variety of resources for his career.

We are so proud and happy for Dylan for all of his success!! You can find all of the information he shared here.

School Council Fundraiser

Please Support Your Garth Webb School Council Fundraising Campaign

Our Goal: $15,000         

Raised to date: $4,970

Hello Garth Webb Families!

We are entering the final 9 days of our School Council Fundraising Campaign for the 2024-25 school year. Remember that this is our primary annual effort to raise funds, so let’s make it count Chargers!

Every donation counts!

Thanks to all who have donated so far, we are 33% of the way there Garth Webb! Please help us reach our goal of $15,000 by donating today.

Spotlight on: Chromebooks

• Chromebooks are used daily by the students of Garth Webb

• Chromebooks are located school wide, in all departments

• During the 2023-2024 school year, 460 chromebooks were decommissioned

• In August of 2024, the school purchased 200 new chromebooks

• The unit cost per chromebook is $378

All money raised through our fundraising campaign will go to help build a better all-around education for our kids in and out of the classroom. 

We are asking all GWSS families to please consider donating. Our goal is an average donation of $30 per student but we appreciate any amount you can donate. Help our students charge into the future. Tax receipts will automatically be provided for donations of $20 or more.

We appreciate all donations to this annual fundraiser and we look forward to continuing to support GWSS teams, clubs, and events.

Donations can be made online through this link.

Thank you for your contribution!

 Sincerely,

GWS School Council

Grad Photo Bookings

Attention Grade 12s! Be sure to book your grad photo sitting so you don't miss out on being in the grad composite and in the grad section of the yearbook. Grad photos are happening here at the school starting tomorrow and will run through December 13.

Click here to book your appointment today!

2025 Prime Minister’s Awards

Consider nominating an educator for a 2025 Prime Minister’s Award

This award is a chance to thank a teacher or early childhood educator who is inspiring children in all areas of life, from science and math to schoolyard interactions.

Who can nominate: Students, parents, colleagues, principals, supervisors, community leaders, or people with direct knowledge of the nominee's contribution can nominate a person.

 Prime Minister’s Awards recipients (for Teaching Excellence, Teaching Excellence in STEM and Excellence in Early Childhood Education) will receive a certificate from the Prime Minister and National recognition and promotion of their best teaching practices  

Check out the 2024 Prime Minister’s Award recipients for Teaching Excellence, Teaching Excellence in STEM, and Excellence in Early Childhood Education!

Download the Nomination package here. The nomination deadline is January 15, 2025.

Post Secondary Exploration Event for Indigenous Students

Post-secondary exploration event for Indigenous students and families coordinated by HDSB's Indigenous Rights and Education Team in partnership with the Aboriginal Post-Secondary Information Program (APSIP). 

The event will take place at Dr. Frank J. Hayden Secondary School on Thursday, November 28 from 6-8 pm.  Please see the November 28 2024 HDSB APSIP Promotional Flyer for more information including a QR code to register.

Virtual Session on Post-Secondary Accessibility – Open to HDSB Families

Please see the attached flyer with regards to an upcoming virtual session hosted by  the Regional Assessment and Resource Centre (RARC) at Queen's University. The session, titled Demystifying Accessibility at Post-Secondary, is designed to help students and families navigate accessibility at the post-secondary level.  This session is open to any interested families, which could be a great opportunity for HDSB families to gain insight into the accessibility process.

Tuesdays @Ten

November's Tuesdays @Ten parent engagement session. It was geared towards families of students in Grade 9 and 10. We reviewed the various graduation requirements, programs available within the HDSB, as well as student support services available at Garth Webb and within the board. If you missed it, please click on the links below to view the recording.

Slides Recording

Grade 12 - Post Secondary Applications and Graduation Requirements

This past month, Student Services met with all Grade 12 classes.  As a follow up to the presentation, we wanted to share the information below with students and their families. This message is a reminder of some important information as you navigate the postsecondary application process and completion of the final graduation requirements.

Community Hours

Students need to submit 40 community hours no later than May 1, 2025 for completion of the Ontario Secondary School Diploma. Students can submit their hours HERE. If needed, they can complete our recording form found HERE.

Online Learning Requirement

Students are also required to take two e-learning credits to graduate. However, students can opt out by returning this form to Student Services.

Post Secondary Applications - University

Students can apply via the Ontario Universities' Application Centre using their OENs (Ontario Education Number) and personal email account. An OEN can be found on a student’s report card. The due date for applications is January 15, 2025.

Post Secondary Applications - College 

Students can apply via ontariocolleges.ca using their personal email account. The due date for applications is February 1, 2025.

Scholarships

Information will be posted on the Grade 12 Google Classroom stream as well as in a document in Classwork. Information can also be found via the HDSB website: HDSB Scholarship Resources.

More details and resources on the above information can be found in our Grade 12 Presentation and Resource Slide Deck: Grade 12 Presentation 2024.

HDSB Guide to Post Secondary

The transition from secondary school to post-secondary is a significant journey and one that is both exciting and potentially overwhelming at the same time. The HDSB has put together this guide to help students and families navigate. Click here to check it out.

Community Hours: New in the 2024-2025 School Year

Students who complete more than 40 community involvement hours are encouraged to maintain their own record of completed community involvement hours. Secondary schools will no longer track and collect documentation for the completion of community involvement hours beyond the 40 hours required. Students can maintain a record of completed involvement hours through a digital or hard copy portfolio should they wish to have proof of hours for future scholarship, award and/or special program opportunities.

Community Involvement Recording Sheet

Submit Your Community Hours

National Scholarships - Grade 12 Students

Information around scholarships will be shared via the google classroom throughout the year.  Please note that most National Scholarship deadlines are in the fall where has community scholarships are in the Spring.  Please feel free to investigate these Scholarships to see if you are eligible.

Deadlines:

Queen's - Deadline typically early December

Schulich - School Nomination Jan. 30

Western National - TBD but usually mid-February

HDSB Scholarship Page

Volunteer Club

Volunteer Club dedicates to provide more volunteering opportunities to our students. Our goal is to make the information more accessible for everyone. We post opportunities weekly with all of the information included in our google classroom! If you want to learn more about our club and wish to find more opportunities, please join our google classroom through code: dtpah5l.

 You can also find us on instagram (@gwss.volunteer), LinkedIn (GWSS Volunteer Club), and Twitter (@gwss_volunteer)! If you have any question, feel free to email us at gwssvolunteerclub@gmail.com.

Opportunity for this Week:

Front Line Outreach hosts a Christmas Toy Store for families living in low income housing communities in Oakville and they would love to have the community take part in making special treats that parents can use as stocking stuffers. They need 350 in total.

Sign up today to make lollipop reindeer (does not need to be exact). Text 289-795-2155 to register https://www.frontlineoutreach.ca/.

Co-op Information Night

📢 Join Us for Co-op Information Night! 📢

Curious about how co-op programs work? Want to gain hands-on experience while earning credits? Come to our Co-op Information Night to learn everything you need to know!

🗓 Date: Monday, November 25
⏰Time: 7 pm
📍Location: virtual - get access to the Google Meet link by registering here.

This event is for anyone, whether you have already added co-op to your timetable or are just interested in learning more about the program. Don't miss this opportunity to find out how you can apply to get a head start on your career and explore how co-op can boost your skills and open doors!

See you there!

Follow us on Instagram @GWSSCoop

NEW HDSB Multi-Year Strategic Plan

The HDSB has a new Multi-Year Strategic Plan (MYSP)! The 2024-2028 MYSP will guide our work throughout the next four years to support students’ academic success, well-being and growth. Shaped by the collaborative efforts and voices of our community, each of the six commitments within this plan works in tandem to create supportive and effective learning environments. Stay tuned for more updates as we bring this plan to life inside and outside the classroom. Learn more here.

HDSB Bullying Response Protocol

Garth Webb, along with all schools in the #HDSB, is committed to taking immediate and proactive action to prevent and address all incidents of bullying to create safe, inclusive and welcoming environments for all students.

Our Bullying Response Protocol guides us to address every incident of bullying quickly and with care. Through our online reporting tool, students and families can confidentially report bullying. Visit the HDSB website to learn more about the Bullying Response Protocol, access the online reporting tool and explore resources for families to support bullying prevention.

Together, we can create a safe school environment for all. Learn more here.

Navigating the Chaos Support Group

• Do you find your school life chaotic or overwhelming? Do you often feel like you don’t know where to start? Are these challenges getting in the way of your goals? If so, this group might be for you.

• Navigating the Chaos is a small virtual group intended for students who experience difficulties managing their approach to tasks and assignments and navigating the sometimes chaotic day-to-day of secondary school life. 

Navigating the Chaos Self-Referral Form

Productivity Over Procrastination Support Group

• Do you often put things off until the last minute? Do you find yourself scrambling to complete tasks, despite your best intentions? Does this cause you stress or impact the outcome? If so, this group might be for you. 

• This small virtual group is intended for students whose primary difficulty is procrastination. 

Productivity Over Procrastination Self-Referral Form

An Important Message from Halton Region Public Health

Translated into the following languages: 

اَلْعَرَبِيَّةُ (Arabic)     Français (French)     हिंदी (Hindi)     ਪੰਜਾਬੀ (Punjabi)     中文 (Simplified Chinese)      

Español (Spanish)     اردو (Urdu) 

Students in Grade 9 to 12 for the upcoming school year must have up to date immunization records on file with Halton Region Public Health. This letter explains how to report your immunizations to Public Health if you have not done so already.

In Halton Region, many students do not have updated immunization records, either because they missed receiving routine vaccines, or because parents/guardians have not reported their children’s immunizations to Public Health.

In Ontario, the Immunization of School Pupils Act (ISPA) requires that children who attend school be immunized against nine diseases: diphtheria, tetanus, polio, measles, mumps, rubella, meningitis (meningococcal disease), whooping cough (pertussis), and chickenpox* (varicella - *immunization required for children born in 2010 or later).

For the 2024-2025 school year, Halton Region Public Health will review the immunization records of all Halton secondary students. Parents/guardians will be notified if their child’s record is not up-to-date. As directed by the ISPA, students may be suspended from school if their immunization records are not updated by October 2024. If your child is unable to be immunized for medical reasons, or if you choose not to immunize your child, you must submit vaccine exemption documentation to Halton Region Public Health. For more details about this process, please visit halton.ca/immunize.

Immunizations required for school attendance are free, safe, and effective.

Halton Region Public Health is asking parents/guardians of all students born in 2007 to 2010 (Grades 9 to 12 in the upcoming school year) to complete the following steps:

1. Review your child’s online record by visiting halton.ca/immunize.*

2. Book an immunization appointment with your health care provider if your child has missed any vaccines, or visit halton.ca/immunize to schedule an appointment at a Public Health Community Immunization Clinic (available throughout summer 2024).

3. Report vaccines to Public Health. Parents/guardians are responsible to report every vaccine their child receives to Public Health, because health care providers do not report immunizations they provide. Report vaccines by visiting halton.ca/immunize.  

To learn more about immunizations (including translated resources) visit ontario.ca/vaccines; or download A Parent's Guide to Vaccination at canada.ca/vaccines.

*For students who are new to the HDSB and from outside Ontario:

Students over 16 years, or parent/guardians/ custodians of students under 16 years, can either take their home country vaccine records in person to the Halton Regional Headquarters Building at 1151 Bronte Road in Oakville. 

OR a digit copy/photo can be emailed to accesshalton@halton.ca 

AND - request an Immunization Identification Number and Online Account access by emailing: vaccinerecords@halton.ca

For the email Subject Line, use --> "HDSB Student Outside of Ontario Vaccination Record Submission"

In the email body, please attach:

a photo or PDF of the student's vaccination record from their outside of Ontario jurisdiction, and include the following student information in the email: Student full LEGAL Name, which would be the name on their passport/ birth certificate.

Student Date of Birth, written with Month Day, Year - For example January 1, 2021

The HDSB School the student(s) are attending - For example: Garth Webb Secondary School

Click here for further information.

ROCK Workshops

Advanced Caregiving Workshop

Thursday in-person group running January 9-30 from 10:30-12:00 in Burlington 

Friday virtual group running January 10-31 from 10:30-12:00

The Advanced Caregiving workshop is a psycho-educational, prevention and early intervention clinical group developed to support caregivers in learning advanced skills for supporting their loved one with their mental health. Advanced Caregiving workshops are 90-minute sessions, delivered over 4 consecutive weeks and will introduce mental health recovery principles, Emotion Coaching, Validation and Behaviour Coaching skills.  

ROCK Your Self Esteem

WINTER REFERRALS OPENING as of November 26, 2024

Activities and crafts designed to increase feelings of self worth, self-compation, self-confidence, and much more! Join us for this 6 week, 2 hour long group on Wednesday evenings in Milton. For more information contact ROCK's ASN @289-266-0036.

 FIT

WINTER REFERRALS OPENING as of November 5, 2024; running February 5 - March 26, 2024 Wednesday's from 6:00-8:00 p.m. virtually. 

Caregivers can register on Bookwhen to receive a callback from ASN to register/create a Caseworks file: 

FIT is a unique, gender-affirming, psychoeducational group program originally designed and facilitated by mental health counsellors at Central Toronto Youth Services, now being offered through Queer@ROCK!

The primary goal of this intervention is to give families the tools they need to help trans, non-binary, and gender questioning youth feel fully supported in their homes.

This Families in Transition offering is a virtual group for the parents/caregivers of youth aged 13-17 who identify as trans, gender diverse and/or questioning.

Embrace and Empower 

WINTER REFERRALS OPENING as of November 6, 2024

Folks 13 to 17 years of age

Youth can register on Bookwhen to receive a callback to coordinate screening.

The Embrace & Empower program, in partnership with Speqtrum, focuses on exploring the historical and social influences that can impact queer and/or trans youth, their body image, body perception, identity and relationship with food. Embrace and Empower utilizes group-oriented peer-to-peer discussion and strategy-building activities to encourage body acceptance. Throughout the program, participants will explore identity, ancestry & queerness, queer and trans representation in new and old media, discuss queer and trans bodies around the world and unpack how food & body can be empowering, connecting and nourishing.

Here & Queer

WINTER REFERRALS OPENING as of November 4, 2024; February 4 - March 25 on Tuesday's from 6:00-7:30 p.m. In Oakville. 

Here & Queer is the raddest space for 2SLGBTQIA+ youth agesd 13-17 to build those friendships and master those social skills that keep them soaring! Brace yourself for a warm and welcoming community, where you can have fun, learn social skills, and feel safe to be you.

Upcoming Key Dates

Nov 11 - Dec 13 Grad Photos

Nov 29 Professional Activity Day – No Classes

Dec 3 HDSB Pathways - 4 - 10 pm (@IRHS)

Dec 3 Tuesdays @Ten

Dec 4 Club Photo Day for Yearbook @lunch

Dec 11 CP Day (late start @9:30 am)

Dec 12 15th Week in Danger Reports Emailed

Dec 20 Last Day of Classes in 2024 (early dismissal at 1:15 pm)

Dec 23 - Jan 3 Winter Break

Jan 6 First Day of Classes After Holiday

Jan 7 Tuesdays @Ten

Jan 22 Last Day of Classes for Semester 1

Jan 23 - 29 Semester 1 Exams

Jan 30 Exam Review Day

Jan 31 Professional Activity Day – No Classes